Category Archives: Features

July 6, 2009 · 7:36 am

World Music Series hits Reno July 8

The Wailing Souls will play in Reno July 8.

The Wailing Souls will play in Reno July 8.

For years, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada presented a July world music series that ranked among the most popular activities at Artown. So, when the Food Bank decided to try something different, Artown staff stepped in.

“We’ve taken over,” Artown executive director Beth Macmillan said. “It’s a very relevant genre that needs to be offered to the community. I think it really introduces our community to different cultures through the arts.”

That means Wingfield Park will once again play host to world music shows at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. As in the past, admission will be by donation, but this year, cash offerings will help pay Artown’s concert costs.

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090706/ENT/907060310/1056/Sounds-from-around-the-world

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July 1, 2009 · 6:58 am

Artown opens today in Reno

The 2009 Artown festival kicks off Wednesday, marking the beginning of 32 days of arts and entertainment events spread throughout Reno and Sparks.

The festival officially starts in the morning with a variety of ongoing art exhibitions, but the day’s main event is the opening ceremony — scheduled for 7 p.m. at Wingfield Park — followed by a free concert by folksinger Richie Havens.

Click here for the full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090630/NEWS/90630045&s=d&page=1#pluckcomments

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June 19, 2009 · 11:55 am

Like free movies? Reno’s got them

Paul Rudd, left, and Jason Segel in "I Love You Man." The film will be showing free of charge at the University of Nevada, Reno on June 23.

Paul Rudd, left, and Jason Segel in "I Love You Man." The film is showing for free at the University of Nevada, Reno June 23.

There might not be any free lunches, but there are free movies. At least there are in Northern Nevada.

For years, Artown has offered free movies in Wingfield Park during the month of July, but this summer free flicks aren’t limited to a single month. Heck, they aren’t even limited to the family friendly fare that has always been Artown’s trademark. There’s a series at the University of Nevada, Reno, for instance, that doesn’t include anything rated softer than PG-13. And tell me that a showing of “Dirty Dancing” at the Grand Sierra pool doesn’t have the potential to be a tad provocative?

Intrigued? Then grab your calendar and make plans. Here’s the skinny on several free movie series running throughout the summer.

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090619/ENT/906190373/1056/ENT/Free-flicks-help-stretch-your-family-s-budget

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June 19, 2009 · 9:57 am

Reno club keeps R/C cars on track

Dan Walls of Reno likes racing radio-controlled cars for many reasons but one  is that he can put them through hell.

“It keeps me going, keeps me young,” he said. “I’d never drive my real car like this. I can drive this like I stole it.”

Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906190359

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June 7, 2009 · 8:02 am

‘Dances With Wolves’ writer attending this year’s Reno Film Festival

Michael Blake

Michael Blake

Michael Blake is best known as a behind-the-scenes guy, but the “Dances With Wolves” novelist and screenwriter stepped in front of the camera for “The American West: On the Road With Michael Blake.”

In the documentary film, showing June 21 at the Reno Film Festival, Blake takes viewers on a journey through great moments in U.S. history, especially as they relate to American Indians. He will be at the Reno screening to talk about the film, which was inspired by his first non-fiction book, “Indian Yell: The Heart of an American Insurgency.”

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090607/ENT/906070305/1056/+Dances++writer+presenting+documentary+of+the+West

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May 29, 2009 · 4:13 pm

‘Mamma Mia!’ heading to Reno

Mama MiaMichelle Dawson says you needn’t love ABBA to have a blast at “Mamma Mia!”

“Once you’ve seen it, you become an ABBA fan,” said Dawson who stars in the touring production of the musical, opening Tuesday at the Pioneer Center. “I mean the songs are incredible. “I don’t think people realize how popular and famous these songs are if they’re not an ABBA fan.”

“Mamma Mia!” is mostly a showcase for the music of the Swedish pop group. But that doesn’t mean it’s plot-free. Dawson plays Donna Sheridan, a freewheeling single mother who runs a hotel on a Greek island, and the show begins as her daughter, Sophie, is about to get hitched. Trouble is, Sophie wants her father to walk her down the aisle and Donna doesn’t know who the Daddy is. After some investigation, Sophie invites three men from Donna’s past to her wedding, convinced she’ll be able to figure out who is who. Add the arrival of two of Donna’s longtime girlfriends, and the stage is set for a wild musical comedy and a whole bunch of ABBA tunes.

Click here for full story:  http://www.rgj.com/article/20090528/ENT/305280004/1056/ENT/You+needn+t+love+ABBA+to+love++Mama+Mia+

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May 29, 2009 · 1:15 pm

Juilliard grad returns home for concert

Molly Carr

Molly Carr

Molly Carr is excited to be returning to Reno, if only for a few days.

The 22-year-old violist grew up in the Biggest Little City before moving to New York City to study at the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School and will perform Sunday to benefit the Suzuki Music Association of Reno/Tahoe.

“I’m always excited to come home,” she said. “I didn’t think twice.

Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009905290414

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May 24, 2009 · 10:00 am

‘Up’ avoids gimmicky 3D

Carl Frederickson launches his house into the sky in the movie "Up."

Carl Frederickson launches his house into the sky in the movie "Up."

Don’t go to Pixar Animation Studio’s first 3-D feature expecting things to fly out of the screen and hover in your face. That’s not going to happen.

“Our job is to make the audience forget they’re at the movies, as opposed to reminding them they’re watching a movie,” said producer Jonas Rivera. “We treated the screen more like a window looking in, you know, almost like a diorama. That just felt right.”

In other words, the 3-D version of “Up,” opening nationwide Friday, gives the action extra dimension, but it isn’t filled with typical 3-D gimmicks.

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090524/ENT/905240337/1056/Directors%20knew%20just%20who%20to%20turn%20to%20for%20%20Up

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May 24, 2009 · 9:55 am

Ed Asner helps ‘Up’ soar

Actor Ed Asner, left, and producer Jonas Rivera work on the vocal track for "Up."

Actor Ed Asner, left, and producer Jonas Rivera work on the vocal track for "Up."

When it came time to cast the lead voice actor for “Up,” Pixar filmmakers didn’t look beyond veteran actor Ed Asner.

The animated movie, opening Friday, tells the story of Carl Frederickson, an embittered elderly man who attaches hundreds of helium balloons to his home and floats to South America. Asner, said producer Jonas Rivera, was perfect for the role.

“That line between curmudgeon and sweet, old man was very blurry, and that was Carl,” Rivera said. “We had to make Carl appealing “» and no one doesn’t like Ed. “» He was electric to us, and we couldn’t imagine it without him, really.”

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090524/ENT/905240336/1056/Directors+knew+just+who+to+turn+to+for++Up+

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May 8, 2009 · 9:10 am

Nimoy passes the Spock torch

Chris Pine, left, plays Kirk and Zachary Quinto plays Spock in the new "Star Trek."

Chris Pine, left, plays Kirk and Zachary Quinto plays Spock in the new "Star Trek."

For more than 40 years, science fiction fans have known Leonard Nimoy as Spock, the half-Vulcan Starfleet officer who cut his teeth aboard the starship Enterprise. This week, Nimoy, who lives part-time at Lake Tahoe, is passing the torch to Zachary Quinto, a sharp-featured young actor who plays Spock in the new “Star Trek” feature film.

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090507/ENT/905070381/1056

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